Spanish wall lizard (Podarcis hispanicus)

Short answers

Spanish wall lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×60 cm, a Mediterranean climbing enclosure with stone walls and hides.

Spanish wall lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–32 °C, basking spot 35–45 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Spanish wall lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 3–5).

Spanish wall lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6–8 years in captivity.

Spanish wall lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–32 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

35–45 °C

Humidity

40–60 % (with a locally humid zone)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×60 cm, a Mediterranean climbing enclosure with stone walls and hides

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with stone and cork structures, a damp egg-laying spot

Feeding

Food

Insects (flies, crickets, locusts), isopods, spiders, occasionally plant food

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

18–20 cm total length (SVL ~6–7 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 6–8 years in captivity

Origin

The Iberian Peninsula, southern France (Languedoc-Roussillon), north-western Africa; to ~3,000 m in the Atlas

Protection status

Strictly protected (Habitats Directive Annex IV); only documented captive-bred animals, proof of origin required

Brumation

A mild winter rest is recommended: about 6–8 weeks at 5–10 °C (very warm southern forms stay active all year, but a rest still makes sense for breeding)

Cohabitation

A pair is the least complicated option; one male with several females also works in a large, structured enclosure with sight barriers - but never two males together (territorial fights).

Notes

A small, agile climbing wall lizard; a species complex rich in forms. Common mistakes: too few climbing opportunities, and missing warmth and UV zones. Numerous subspecies with slightly differing requirements.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Spanish wall lizard (Podarcis hispanicus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) – Expert
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Lilford's wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) – Expert
• Bocage's wall lizard (Podarcis bocagei) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Carbonell's wall lizard (Podarcis carbonelli) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Geniez's wall lizard (Podarcis virescens) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Guadarrama wall lizard (Podarcis guadarramae) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Ionian wall lizard (Podarcis ionicus) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Spanish wall lizard (Podarcis hispanicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×60 cm, a Mediterranean climbing enclosure with stone walls and hides), substrate (A sand-loam mix with stone and cork structures, a damp egg-laying spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.